ESTHER MARJORIE PAUPANEKIS -

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ESTHER MARJORIE PAUPANEKIS 1921 - 2005 Heaven could not welcome a sweeter Mama. Peacefully in her sleep, Esther passed on with her children and friend Laura Mowatt witnessing her call of Welcome Home. Esther was born in Warren's Landing, August 12, 1921 to Alice and James Begg. At the age of two years old she lost her mother due to childbirth difficulties. As her father was a Yorkboatsman, he could not look after her and was therefore raised by her grandmother Madeline Stevenson. In June 22, 1937, she married Maxwell Paupanekis in Norway House. As trappers and fishers they raised eight children with meager means but with pride. Esther was predeceased by her parents; brother in infancy; husband; son Stanley and sons-in-Law Bill Flett and Rudy Bouvier. Meeting her in heaven will be her five sisters and five brothers-in-law and her best friend Esther Chubb. Leaving her with fond memories are her children, Alice, Alexander (Lillian) Paupanekis, Olive Flett, Ken (Lenore) Paupanekis, Lillian (Andre) Arsenault, Renie and Reg (Pauline) Paupanekis. Grannie will be missed by 13 grandchildren, 12 greatgrands. She will not get to see three greatgrands to be born July, August and September. This last year was an empty year for Esther because of the hockey strike. Previous to this all her Saturday nights were taken up by watching Hockey Night in Canada and most especially her favourite team the Toronto Maple Leafs. She was the only 80+ year old lady that knew every stat regarding the Leafs. Even telephone calls were ignored when they were playing. She went as far as putting on her Leaf sweater on the nights they were on the tube. The void of the strike was filled with the grand and great-grands coming to visit. Her constant supply of candy and bacon puffs could not be ignored by the little fingers that knew the favourite hiding places. During Esther's life time, she was very much looked upon as a role model by many. Most especially being a very firm foundation for the United Church. She took it upon herself to start a U.C.W. group that was run out of her own home. Her living room became an instant miniature hall every fall for the sale of quilts, cushions and knitted items which were created over the year. Her gift of being able to sew and beadwork are now treasures of all that knew her. After raising all her children, she had her first job as a matron for the RCMP. The prisoners got to know how well she made bread as she never left home without a loaf when duty called. As the brothers and sisters-in-law died, she adopted their children as her own. She become Mom to many as she was the last of her generation. Esther died May 19, 2005 at the Teulon Hunter Memorial Hospital after a very brief illness. The family would like to thank Dr. Vanjaarsveld of Northern Medical Unit, Norway House, Dr. Lanos, Nancy, Laurel, Heidi, Carolyn and Thomas of Thompson General Hospital, doctors, Hitchin and Shindu and nurses of the Health Sciences and Dr. Pillay and nurses of the Teulon Hospital. Your terrific care and genuine compassion will not be forgotten. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, Winnipeg. Burial will be on Sunday, May 22, 2:00 p.m. at Towers Island United Church with Rev. John Crate and Rev. Olive Flett officiating.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2005